Examines the myths surrounding the introduction of native language instruction in American Indian communities. Despite the concerns of many parents, such instruction does not "hold back" students, and in fact empowers them to succeed in school. Parent-community involvement is essential for dispelling myths and for reinforcement of the…

Maintains that Phillip Evergood's painting, "Sunny Side of the Street," is an appropriate metaphor for full inclusion of students in art education. Describes a model for collaboration among students, teachers, administrators, and community members to create an inclusive art education program. (CFR)

The law mandating Chicago's (Illinois) school reform (Public Act 85-1418) is about governance and the control of education, more than it is about educational reform. Nevertheless, the law has had a positive impact; and despite their limitations, local school councils have gained insights into school processes and community involvement. (SLD)

Summarizes findings of a survey of middle-school teacher educators to determine what books, articles, and other resources are most used in middle-level teacher education programs. Respondents identified numerous resources that teacher education programs could incorporate. New resources are needed in community resource involvement, family…

Examines pre-first-grade programs in three New England school districts to determine why so many children cannot meet regular classroom demands. Extrayear programs are a quick fix allowing schools and communities to retain policies that permit children to be labeled, tracked, and retained. There is no substitute for a well-designed,…

Describes the implementation of a multicultural education program in the New York City public schools, detailing steps in development of the "Children of the Rainbow" curriculum guides for primary school grades, and the obstacles, including attacks by community members, faced in program development. (SLD)

Describes the School-Community Connection Conference held in Flint (Michigan) on October 11-13, 1992, and the action plans that seven participating schools devised to improve the relationship between schools and their communities. The conference paired representatives from the state departments of education with school-based action teams to…

Intent of "A Nation at Risk" was to call attention to erosion of students' family lives, not to excoriate teachers. Reforms affecting only six hours of children's daily lives cannot succeed. Schools must reach out to help parents, and child-care workers become skilled at incidental (informal) teaching. Other concerns include technology,…

Presents profiles of the Parent-Teacher Action Research projects of seven schools in the national reform network, the League of Schools Reaching Out, and one in Spain. Each school is carrying out a family and community involvement project, and each has an action research team to collect information on program effects. (SLD)

Describes a cross-national action research project involving 8 schools in the United States and 11 schools in 5 other countries studying family-community-school partnerships and the policies or political contexts that shape, and are shaped by, them. Early results suggest the usefulness of action research in emerging dialog. (SLD)

Describes the development and implementation of a course on multicultural education as an important part of teacher education at San Diego State College (California). The course centers on establishing a sense of community, promoting critical thinking, and promoting social responsibility and agency for change. (SLD)

Presents five principles to help communities establish school-based primary care centers linking community health and social services with educational systems. The principles encompass community participation; early assessment of community needs; integration of health and human services with educational services through an interdisciplinary,…

A long-range facilities plan includes anticipated large expenditures and contingencies. The plan should include an overview of existing facilities, enrollment projections, program changes, and projected capital improvements. A school-planning checklist is provided. (MLF)

Five schools and districts recognized by the United States Department of Education for excellence in professional development used student needs to guide staff learning. This paper describes each model, noting common key practices (e.g., plans are based on student achievement, community support is crucial, site-based decision making is used, local…

PTAs in the northwest are regaining momentum and membership by becoming involved in advocating for education reform, seeking funding, promoting child safety, seeking equity, addressing discrimination, providing school enrichment programs, establishing site-based management councils, involving parents in educational decision making, addressing…